São Paulo – The Brazilian maestro Claudio Cohen, who is in charge of the Symphonic Orchestra of Brasília’s Claudio Santoro National Theatre, will conduct two concerts by the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra on October 30th and November 5th. The performances will take place in Doha, the Gulf country’s capital.
“It is one of the leading orchestras in the region. It applies very strict exams for screening musicians and features high-level European musicians,” says Cohen. The Qatari Philharmonic comprises 101 musicians from Europe and the Arab world.
Cohen has toured Asia, North America, South America and Europe, but this is his first time conducting an Arab orchestra. “They have musicians from all over the world, including two Romanians who have played at the Osesp [São Paulo State Symphonic Orchestra],” says the maestro.
Cohen’s first concert in Doha is part of the activities of the Qatar Brazil Year of Culture 2014, whose goal is to promote cultural integration between the two countries. Thus, the repertoire includes pieces by Carlos Gomes (Alvorada – Dawn, from the Lo Schiavo Opera), Heitor Villa-Lobos (Bachianas Brasileiras no. 7), and by the Czech Antonín Dvorák (New World Symphony).
“Carlos Gomes is a Romantic composer and so is Dvorák. Besides, this year marks the 110th anniversary of Dvorák’s death. Villa-Lobos is the leading Brazilian composer and the Bachianas are Villa-Lobos’ masterpiece,” Cohen explains regarding the choice of repertoire. The performance on November 5th will feature works by Beethoven, Mozart and Handel.
Cohen explains that he will travel to Qatar on the 23rd and should have four to five rehearsals with the Qatari orchestra. The rehearsals, he says, are where the conductor can provide the musicians with a vision of how he wants to structure the performances.
“They are playing pieces by composers they are not accustomed with,” says the maestro, adding that the musicians in the Arab orchestra display a “very high level of artistry,” which enables him to work on the details of music by the likes of Carlos Gomes.
In addition to performing with the Qatar Philharmonic, Cohen will deliver a lecture at a local university to discuss the importance of Brazilian classical music and the works of the authors selected for the concert.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
